Craft Beer News, Events & Jobs

A century after the ratification of Prohibition, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could have wide-ranging effects on the three-tier system. On Wednesday, the court heard arguments in Tennessee Wine & Spirits Retailers Association vs. Blair. At issue in the case is the constitutionality of the state of Tennessee’s two-year residency requirement for obtaining a liquor license.

After more than 30 years, New York’s Brooklyn Brewery will finally begin distributing its products in an ultra-competitive California craft beer market. The company will partner with Stone Distributing for coverage throughout Southern California, and DBI and Bay Area Beverage Co. for support in Northern California.

Sierra Nevada Brewing is committing at least $10 million to a new grant program aimed at providing relief to the Northern California communities affected by last November’s “Camp Fire” — the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.

BSG Hops give bouquet and bitterness to beer, but have you ever wondered about everything that happens to these beautiful little flowers before they hit the wort or the fermentation vessel? Join BSG Hops for a pictorial tour of a year in Yakima, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the 2018 hop harvest — from the field to the processing floor.

Total U.S. beer dollar sales grew to more than $35 billion in 2018, according to retail data provider IRI. The Chicago-based market research firm, which tracks category-wide sales at major off-premise retailers, reported a 1.8 percent increase in beer dollar sales, despite a 0.3 percent decline in volume sales at multi-outlet and convenience (MULC) stores (grocery, drug, club, dollar, mass-merchandiser and military) through December 30.

In this week’s edition of Last Call: The Brewers Association shares 2018 packaging trends; High Country Beverage reaches an agreement to acquire a share of a Kansas wholesaler; Allagash to can flagship White; Ballast Point sets opening date for downtown Disney taproom; and more industry news.

Kentucky’s Braxton Brewing Company has embarked on a $5 million expansion that will include the purchase of the building where its brewery is currently situated, as well as the construction of a rooftop bar and the installation of a new canning line.

Aiming to establish a deeper connection in one of the key out-of-state markets where it distributes, fast-growing Ohio brewery Platform Beer Co. has announced plans open a brewery and taproom in Pittsburgh later this year.

In episode 18 of the Brewbound Podcast, Tony Yanow discusses the circumstances that led to the sale of Golden Road, and what his goals are for the Artisanal Brewers Collective. He also talks about the state of the craft beer market, the consumer shift toward supporting hyper-local businesses, and how he evaluates beers that are sold in his pubs.

Craft breweries in Texas are once again pushing for the legalization of beer-to-go sales. A pair of companion bills that would make Texas the final U.S. state to permit to-go sales from licensed breweries were filed in both chambers yesterday, the first day of Texas’ 2019 legislative session.

Constellation Brands reported its third-quarter fiscal 2019 earnings today, which were highlighted by nearly 8 percent growth in beer depletions (sales-to-retailers) and a 14 percent increase in shipments (sales-to-wholesalers) for the comparable three-month period ending November 30.

More than a year after launching beer deliveries throughout Phoenix, Arizona, Pizza Hut today announced plans to expand the service into 1,000 stores by mid-2019. The national pizza chain, owned by Yum Brands, said it would expand its beer delivery service into five new states — Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio — by mid-January.

Craft Brew Alliance has extended CEO Andy Thomas’ employment contract for another three years, according to an SEC filing. Thomas’ new contract, which is slated to terminate on December 31, 2021, replaces a previous agreement that was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2019.

In this week’s edition of Last Call: MillerCoors sells its Eden facility for $2.75 million; Reyes acquires 2.5 million cases from Mission Beverage; Blue Moon is named the “Official Craft Beer” of the Kentucky Derby; and more industry news.